Reading Theme:

Language:

Font Size:

📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Exotic: Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：from a distant land (exotic)

exotic 🔊

/ɪɡˈzɒtɪk/

adj.

Coming from or characteristic of a distant, foreign country that feels unfamiliar and interesting.

Exotic meaning illustrated by a vibrant foreign market with unusual fruits and spices.

from a distant land 🔊

➕

/frʌm ə ˈdɪstənt lænd/

adj.

Describes something originating from a faraway, foreign country, making it seem unfamiliar, intriguing, and often associated with travel.

📁 Category：Transportation & Travel 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Greek 'exōtikos' (foreign), from 'exō' (outside).

💡 Mnemonic

Think EXOTIC sounds like EXit to ICeland - leaving your country for a foreign island.

📖 Example

Her travel blog is filled with photos of exotic markets, where colorful spices and fruits she'd never seen before were piled high. 🔊 Her travel blog is filled with photos of markets from distant lands, where colorful spices and fruits she'd never seen before were piled high.

🔗 Collocations

exotic destination – A travel location that is very foreign and intriguing.

exotic cuisine – Food and cooking styles originating from a foreign culture.

exotic animal – An animal species native to a distant, foreign region.

🔄 Synonyms

foreign (adj.) – From a country other than one's own.

alien (adj.) – Belonging to a foreign country or nation.

tropical (adj.) – Characteristic of regions near the equator, often perceived as exotic.

🚫 Antonyms

native (adj.) – Belonging to a particular place by birth or origin.

domestic (adj.) – Of or relating to one's own country; not foreign.

familiar (adj.) – Well known from long or close association.

🌱 Derivatives

exoticism (n.) – The quality of being attractively or mysteriously unusual or foreign.

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'exotic' originates from the Greek 'exōtikos', meaning 'foreign'. It entered English in the late 16th century, initially describing things from distant lands, like spices and animals brought by explorers. Its modern use extends to anything strikingly unusual or fascinatingly different from the norm.

Meaning 2：unusual and fascinating (exotic)

exotic 🔊

/ɪɡˈzɒtɪk/

adj.

Strikingly unusual, strange, or fascinating because it is very different from what is normal or familiar.

Exotic concept shown by a visitor admiring a bizarre and fascinating plant in a greenhouse.

unusual and fascinating 🔊

➕

/ʌnˈjuːʒuəl ænd ˈfæsɪneɪtɪŋ/

adj.

Describes something that is strikingly unusual, strange, or captivating precisely because it is very different from what is normal or familiar.

📁 Category：Botany Research 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

In the botanical garden's greenhouse, we saw plants with exotic, almost alien-looking flowers that seemed to glow. 🔊 In the botanical garden's greenhouse, we saw plants with unusual and fascinating, almost alien-looking flowers that seemed to glow.

🔗 Collocations

exotic beauty – A striking and unusual type of attractiveness.

exotic design – A strikingly unusual and fascinating style or pattern.

exotic flavor – A highly unusual and intriguing taste sensation.

🔄 Synonyms

unusual (adj.) – Not habitually or commonly occurring or done.

bizarre (adj.) – Very strange or unusual, especially in a striking way.

striking (adj.) – Attracting attention by being unusual or remarkable.

🚫 Antonyms

ordinary (adj.) – With no special or distinctive features; normal.

commonplace (adj.) – Not unusual; ordinary.

mundane (adj.) – Lacking interest or excitement; dull.

🌱 Derivatives

exotically (adv.) – In a strikingly unusual or foreign manner.